Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of Washington, D.C., Citing Crime After Attack on DOGE Staffer
Washington, D.C. – August 6, 2025 – President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Washington, D.C.’s local government, threatening to impose federal control over the nation’s capital following a violent assault on Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, a former staffer of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The attack, which occurred early Sunday in Logan Circle, has reignited long-standing Republican calls to curb D.C.’s autonomy, despite data showing a significant decline in violent crime.
Incident Sparks Controversy
On August 3, 2025, two 15-year-olds from Maryland were arrested in connection with an attempted carjacking and beating of Coristine, 19, a prominent figure in Trump’s DOGE initiative tasked with slashing federal bureaucracy. According to a police report, Coristine was assaulted around 3 a.m. while defending a woman, identified as his significant other, from a group of approximately ten juveniles who approached their vehicle and made comments about taking it. Coristine pushed the woman into the car for safety before confronting the group, resulting in a severe beating that left him bloodied and concussed.
In a Truth Social post on August 5, Trump described D.C.’s crime as “totally out of control,” claiming that “local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent citizens” with little consequence. He demanded that D.C. change its laws to prosecute minors as young as 14 as adults and warned, “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run.”
Political Context and Crime Data
Trump’s threat follows a pattern of criticizing D.C.’s Democratic leadership, particularly Mayor Muriel Bowser, and aligns with his campaign promises to “clean up” the capital. On July 8, during a cabinet meeting, he suggested a federal takeover, stating, “We could run D.C. I mean, we’re looking at D.C.,” and claiming the White House has “tremendous power” to govern cities when necessary. However, D.C. police data shows violent crime has dropped 26% in 2025 compared to 2024, with overall crime down 8%, challenging Trump’s narrative.
The assault on Coristine, amplified by a photo Trump shared of him bloodied on the street, has become a flashpoint. Elon Musk, former DOGE head, echoed Trump’s call for federalization on X, claiming Coristine was defending a woman from a gang assault. Jeanine Pirro, recently appointed U.S. Attorney for D.C., met with Trump to discuss crime and vowed to “get guns off the street” and target carjackers, though her office does not handle juvenile cases, which fall under D.C.’s attorney general.
Legal and Political Hurdles
D.C.’s unique status as a federal district, not a state, makes it vulnerable to federal intervention, as Congress holds ultimate authority under the Constitution. The 1973 Home Rule Act grants D.C. limited self-governance, allowing residents to elect a mayor and council, but Congress can nullify local laws or revoke home rule entirely. Trump’s proposed takeover would likely require congressional action to repeal or amend the Home Rule Act, a politically challenging task given the Republican Party’s lack of a filibuster-proof Senate majority. Democrats, who support D.C. statehood, could block such legislation.
Historical attempts at federal control, such as Trump’s 2020 threat to take over D.C.’s police during George Floyd protests, were rebuffed by local leaders. Critics argue that federalization would undermine D.C.’s 700,000 residents, who lack voting representation in Congress, and reflect a broader Republican strategy to portray Democratic-run cities as lawless. Posts on X highlight polarized sentiment, with some like @SGTnewsNetwork supporting Trump’s push to “restore law and order,” while others question the need given declining crime rates.
Broader Implications
Trump’s threat comes amid other high-profile D.C. incidents, including the May 2025 shooting of congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, in a drive-by near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. While juvenile crime, particularly carjackings (nearly 50% of which involve minors under 18), remains a concern, Mayor Bowser’s creation of a specialized police unit in April 2025 has aimed to address this issue.
The push for federal control also ties to Trump’s broader agenda, including his support for a new Washington Commanders stadium at RFK Stadium, which faces delays in D.C. Council approvals. Critics see the threat as both a power grab and a distraction from his administration’s controversial policies, such as recent tariffs and birthright citizenship restrictions.
Looking Ahead
D.C. officials, including Bowser’s office, have declined to comment directly on Trump’s latest threat, though the mayor has historically defended home rule while navigating negotiations with the administration. Any federal takeover would face legal and political resistance, with experts calling it “unprecedented” given current crime trends. For now, the Metropolitan Police Department continues its investigation into the Coristine attack, seeking additional suspects.
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